Miss Cuddlywumps reviews “An Incursion of Mice” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Kristine Kathryn Rusch does not write the cozy sort of stories
I usually review in this space, but she does write some compelling,
entertaining prose that sometimes includes cats. “An Incursion of Mice” is one
of those tales, and it’s worth a read for its depiction of how a smallish cat
society functions—or doesn’t, as the case may be.
The story is narrated by a former show cat who unfortunately
landed on the street and then was lucky to be taken in to his current
residence, where he lives with four other cats and two servants. He’s called by
his “street name,” Wall T, and he thinks he’s in charge of the household. In
his case, being in charge consists of having the other cats patrol the house
for problems. Oh, and then there’s his research.
Wall T, you see, is an expert on crime and detective work, which
he studies from the basement couch, or sometimes the recliner. He’s watched
enough crime shows on television to understand how these things play out: dead body,
car chase, fight, explosion. Always an explosion. But, like many leaders who
fancy themselves adequate, Wall T is not as in touch with reality as he should
be. And so, when one mouse and then two are found in the house, our brave
leader sees his power quickly unravel as the horrible truth comes to light:
Wall T has allowed a major crime, an incursion of mice, to happen
under his watch.
Perhaps he is not as well suited for command as he thought.
This story takes only minutes to read, but there’s a lot
packed into it, making it worth a second read that promises to be just as
entertaining as the first. Rusch’s straightforward prose is a joy, and this
tale is studded with little nuggets of humor stemming mostly from Wall T’s
unique view of the world. We especially enjoyed the bits about the Paw of Doom
and the crazy tortie (living with two male cats and one tortie, She of Little
Talent has seen her share of raised “paws of doom” and behavior that’s just
plain loony).
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